Monday, December 20, 2010

I arrived in Penang at 5.30am on Saturday to join the Rock & Rock Run organised by Hard Rock Hotel. It's a 3.9km race. Rozmi, Tay Poh Chye, KK Yum and myself got the free bibs from friends who couldn't make it due to change of date in the event.

After the race, we had nasi kandar in town before heading to Cititel. After checking in, freshen up and rest for a while, we headed towards TESCO to buy some drinking water and isotonic drinks. Then headed to the hotel again to take a short break as we have been deprived of our precious sleep for the last 24 hours.

At 7.15pm, most runners already checked in to the hotel and headed out to look for food. By 9.00pm, all runners and support crews gathered at the hotel lobby for the briefing session and collecting their running bibs. Yes . . . there were many new faces and it's a get-to-know runners session as well.

Setting the right angle for photo session just before the briefing started. And of course we have our ever much loved and dedicated photograher with us for the entire race to capture those golden moments.

Yes, he is our favorite figure in the running scene known to the Pacemakers Network group as PM22 or PM Tey. And also being referred to by many as Gege Tey or Bro Tey, a great supporter for road races, Powerman, Trialthon, Biathlon, Ultramarathon and just any sports that you needed him to be there.

The very persons who are responsible to make this trip possible KK Yum (in blue) and Ronnie See (in red). Both took up the assignment to get all things in order. As usual, they will leave that 'dirty linen' job for me at the eleventh hour for the briefing. OK lah, since I have volunteer to be the support crew and cheerleading crew, I gladly accept the request.

As part of the get-to-know the runners, running bibs were distributed where team members get to really meet their own team mate in person.

Ahmad Lamchanak was pulled in at the eleventh hour also when 3 runners from the elite team pulled out just 3 days prior to race days.

Daniel Chow is the 1st runner in the Fun Team. Yeah .. .smile all you can Daniel, you gonna have a real shock later cos' that No. 1 come with great responsibility. . . hahahaaaa . . very soon you'll not be smiling ear to ear . ..

K2 Sze Yung Hui another new face on the block. Yup .. this is a test to this young runner about team work and a relay run.

And Jessa Singh holding K5 being the fifth runner for the fun team. He is quite relax cos being in the middle pack and quite an easy route, sure he can hang on there.

Yes, Dannie Choong as the 6th runner. Glad that he made it to Penang safely after all the hassle having his flight being delayed by FireFly, then being transfered to KLIA. And as he thought all thing smooth and on his way, again his flight was delayed till 3pm. Arrggghhhh. . . what a way to start and if he ever FFK (pulling out) from th team due to the flight delay, we'll surely sent a summon to FireFly. Yes, Pacemakers do have a handful of lawyers who are more than willing to file the case .. . Don't Play Play . . . .

Wong Choon Keong in the 8th posting. Another critical position to determine the positioning of his team. Runners in posting 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th played a very crucial role. We need runners who have strong mindset and able to withstand the long wait and hot weather.

We are indeed quite glad to have Rozmi Yunus from the Army Camp to be in our team taking on the hill and the heat for the Elite team.

And yes, Bryan Lee was also being pulled in last minutes after some runners fall out. He is a Powerman contender and we are indeed grateful that he is so ever willing to be at the 2nd last leg, not an easy task.

Mohammad Haris, a local as a reserved runner for the fun team with his wife and young child. He has been most helpful throughout the race to ensure the whole journey is smooth sailing as none in the Fun team are familiar with the island map.

Daniel Tan and YS Lee, two strong supporters of Pacemakers Team. Daniel in the Elite Team while YS Lee opted to be in the Fun Team.

Ricahrd Habeya . . . . asked the most QUESTIONS for the night. If there is such an award for that, I'll surely accord that to him. But then again, his questions always bring laughter and live up the atmosphere for the evening . . ..

This two pretty ladies Carrie and Pui San taking the opportunity to snap some pictures with our youngest and strongest supporter PM1.1 Adrian See.

Not sure if this is a road race briefing or a photography session or competition???? Ahhhhh . .. so . .. they are just being fascinated by that colourful birthday cake as the FINALE for the evening . .. . celebrating all the December Birthday's members . . ..

Before we adjourn for the evening, all runners were reminded to put in their best as team mate. And the favorite tagline and quotation for the race is -

Whether the team gonna have Rice, Porridge or just Plain water, depended on YOU.

This message was being pumped and drilled into each runner to do their best.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

I just can't believe what I just read in the article below on the statement made by BAM which is highlighted in RED.

Even the uncles and aunties in that favorite coffeeshop that I frequented see thru this long ago. All those in BAM and NSC should just resign and let more capable people to take over if we want to see real change and bring our sports to the next level!

Each time Lin Dan step in the court, one can see his confidence to take on his opponent but our dear Datuk Lee, his facial expression is enough to give him away . . . .

(The STAR - 7 Dec 2010)By RAJES PAUL

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) believe they have ‘uncovered the truth’ behind world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei’s inability to get the better of Lin Dan.

They concluded that Chong Wei is not as fit and fast as the China shuttler.

No surprises there.

The only surprise is that it needed a post-mortem on the badminton team’s flop at the Guangzhou Asian Games to come to that conclusion!

Chong Wei lost to three-time world champion Lin Dan in the final of the Asiad.

The BAM feel that unless the Malaysian improves on his sustaining power on court, he will continue to struggle to overcome his nemesis Lin Dan.

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said that Chong Wei’s coaches had been asked to take another look at his fitness training programme.

“We discussed in depth Chong Wei’s loss to Lin Dan. He played well and had some tricks up his sleeves, especially with his deceptive chops. But, in the rubber game, it was obvious that Chong Wei simply ran out of gas,” said Chin Chai.

“He has to be fitter in order to match Lin Dan. The coaches will work together with the NSI (National Sports Institute) staff to help him last longer on court.”

The duo’s rivalry is expected to continue in the final-leg of the Super Series at the Hong Kong Open, which will begin tomorrow.

With Lin Dan in the fray, the odds are – surprise, surprise – stacked against the Malaysian to win.

Top seed Chong Wei is in the same half as compatriot Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark, world champion Chen Jin and Lin Dan.

Chong Wei is expected to take on Hafiz in the second round. Then, he will probably be up against Chen Jin, followed by Lin Dan in the semi-final.

Lin Dan, however, has a tricky opening tie against Jorgensen.

In the bottom half of the draw, the battle will be among a small group of players comprising China Open champion Chen Long of China, Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana.

Chin Chai also said that there was still room for improvement among the elite shuttlers – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Wong Mew Choo – in the men’s doubles and women’s singles events respectively.

He said that the coaches had been instructed to look into adding more variety to their game “so that their styles will not be predictable”.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong squandered two gold medal match points en route to losing to Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia in the final while Mew Choo gave a good fight before bowing out to Japan’s Eriko Hirose in the quarter-finals.

All three will be out to make a quick rebound at the Hong Kong Open.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong will take on Denmark’s Mads Conrads-Petersen-Jonas Rasmussen while Mew Choo has a tough opener against South Korean Bae Youn-joo in their opening matches tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

If you are not participating in the Penang Bridge International Marathon, perhaps you may want to support this fun walk. Its one of the cheapest and value for money. For a mere RM10.00 per person or RM90.00 per group of 10 persons, you can also take home a batik sarong!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Fainting is a symptom of an inadequate supply of oxygen and othernutrients to the brain, usually caused by a temporary decrease in bloodflow. Blood flow to the brain can decrease whenever the body cannotquickly compensate for a fall in blood pressure.

Causes

1. Fainting may occur if the heart cannot pump enough blood to maintain anormal blood pressure. For example, an abnormal heart rhythm or a heartvalve disorder may impair the heart's pumping ability. People with suchdisorders may feel fine when resting. However, they feel faint or actuallyfaint when exercising because the heart cannot pump enough blood to meetthe body's increased demand for oxygen. This type of fainting is calledexertional or effort syncope. People with these disorders may also faintafter exercising. During exercise, the increase in heart rate may enablethe heart to pump enough blood to maintain adequate blood pressure,although just barely. When exercise stops, the heart rate (and the amountof blood pumped) begins to decrease. However, the blood vessels inmuscles, which dilate (widen) during exercise to move more blood to andfrom the muscles, remain dilated. (The arterioles in muscles remaindilated to help supply oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue, and theveins remain dilated to remove metabolic waste products produced duringexercise.) The decrease in the amount of blood pumped out combined withdilation of the arterioles and veins causes blood pressure to fall, andfainting results.

2. An abnormality of the heart called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (seeCardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) can also cause fainting thatusually occurs during exercise. This disorder may occur in younger peopleas well as older people, particularly those who have high blood pressure.If untreated, it can lead to death.

3. Fainting may occur if blood volume is too low. An obvious cause of lowblood volume is bleeding. Another cause is dehydration, which may be dueto diarrhea, excessive sweating, inadequate intake of fluids, or excessiveurination (which is a common symptom of untreated diabetes (see DiabetesMellitus) or Addison's disease (see Adrenal Gland Disorders: Addison'sDisease)). In older people, the use of diuretics is a common cause ofdehydration, particularly during warm weather or during an illness whenobtaining or drinking enough fluids may be difficult. (Diuretics help thekidneys eliminate salt and water by increasing urine formation and thusdecrease fluid volume in the body.)

4. Fainting may occur if the vagus nerve, which supplies the neck, chest,and intestine, is stimulated. When stimulated, the vagus nerve slows theheart. Such stimulation also causes nausea and cool, clammy skin. Thistype of fainting is called vasovagal (vasomotor) syncope. The vagus nerveis stimulated by pain (such as intestinal cramps), fear, other distress(such as that due to the sight of blood), vomiting, a large bowelmovement, and urination. Fainting during or immediately after urination iscalled micturition syncope. Rarely, vigorous swallowing causes faintingdue to stimulation of the vagus nerve.

5. Fainting may also occur if straining reduces the amount of bloodflowing back to the heart. Fainting due to coughing (cough syncope)usually results from such straining. Fainting after urination (micturitionsyncope) or after a bowel movement is partly due to straining (in additionto stimulation of the vagus nerve). Older men who must strain to emptytheir bladder because of a large prostate gland are particularlysusceptible. Fainting when lifting weights (weight lifter's syncope)results from the strain of trying to lift or push heavy weights withoutbreathing adequately during the exercise.

6. Fainting that occurs when a person sits or stands up too quickly iscalled orthostatic (postural) syncope. It is particularly common amongolder people. It is caused by orthostatic hypotension (see Low BloodPressure: Orthostatic Hypotension). In orthostatic hypotension, thecompensatory mechanisms, particularly the constriction of blood vesselsand the increase in heart rate, do not adequately restore blood pressurewhen a person stands and gravity causes blood to pool in the leg veins. Arelated form of fainting, called parade ground syncope, occurs when peoplestand still for a long time on a hot day. If the leg muscles are not used,blood is not pumped back to the heart. As a result, blood pools in the legveins, and blood pressure falls.

8. Fainting may result from very rapid breathing (overbreathing, orhyperventilation), which may be due to anxiety. This type of fainting iscalled hyperventilation syncope. Overbreathing removes large amounts ofcarbon dioxide from the body. The decreased level of carbon dioxide causesblood vessels in the brain to constrict, and the person may feel faint oractually faint.

9. Rarely, fainting results from a mild stroke in which blood flow to apart of the brain suddenly decreases. Fainting due to a stroke is morecommon among older people. Many other disorders, such as a deficiency ofred blood cells (anemia), lung disorders, a decreased blood sugar level(hypoglycemia), and diabetes can cause fainting, especially if thecompensatory mechanisms are also impaired.

10. Certain drugs may cause fainting. They include many of those used totreat high blood pressure, angina, and heart failure. Doses of these drugsmust be carefully adjusted to prevent blood pressure from decreasing toomuch.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Run for A Ray of Hope, is part of the Health Fiesta which is organised by the medical students of the National University of Malaysia (UKM). The purpose of this Charity Run is to raise funds for patients who are in need of financial support for their treatment in PPUKM, Cheras.

In conjunction with the run, there will also be a health campaign which will be held from 13 - 14 November, with booths available for free health screening, health education, health talk and health consultation. Several NGOs (such as Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia, Pink Triangle Foundation, Malaysians AIDS Council and National Cancer Society Malaysia) will be giving health education on that day.Besides, Pusat Darah Negara is welcoming everyone to donate blood on the day of event.

Entry Fee

Open: RM 25

School: RM 15 each participant

UKM Student: FREE

* Only First 500 people will be able to get the Dry-fit jersey (excluding UKM student).

* All profits will go to SAHABAT PPUKM for the needy patients in UKM Medical Centre

Friday, September 10, 2010

not knowing what's a microphone and a bottleyet wanna be an entertainer . . . . .

It all started because of the Four who wanna have a get together. A lot of hoo haa and ding dong for a month. Its like a wild dream and it goes on and on. So, what is this Four has got to do with September?

Aha . . .. there they are!!!!! Four huge Giants with a Tiny Choc cake.

Once upon a time, Four Giants decended on Planet Earth at different time zone and they finally managed to trace each other, thus the celebration.

But they still can't get the link well connected. One of them just disappear into a different time zone as soon as they press on the Choc Cake. Otherwise, how could one explain the disappearance of the Fourth one in this amulet?

You see the word RECORDS? Yes, the current time zone only recorded Three at that very moment. Or is it she didn't learn and perfect her witchcraft well and so still in the Twilight zone.

However, I'm proud that one of the many managed to graduate Class 21 within 2:32:30 Time zone.I am pondering what is in the mind of the two standing right behind staring at another certificate? You both gotta train harder and practice make perfect. Limited awards are bestowed to the deserving. And please don't mistaken that Cert as your missing CHEESE!!! (insert 'wink-wink')

The proud recipients of the award will not be able to sleep well staring at the award for at least a season. Gotta be the best they ever had! Add oil, Add oil . . . . . NOT Minyak Cap Pisau (Brand Knife cooking oil) please . . . . LOL

Other surprise awaiting them outside the Box (RedBox Karaoke). Each of the Four were given a chance to throw the Ping Pong ball into the 'box' laid with rows of bottles upside down. If the ball landed on one of the bottoms, they will take home a bigger 'surprise'. Yes, surprise they do get . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .hahahaaaaa . . . . . the ball keep rolling back to them!!!!

Finally, that Dream is over. We are all back to the current Time Zone - 5 September 2010 @ RedBox Karaoke, Sogo Kuala Lumpur.

One Big Family and Friends - Cheerful & Colorful

PS. Friends who have not learn how to SMILE will be sent to the Twilight Zone for further practice . . . . LOL

As a benefit for Patient’s Welfare Fund, MAA-MEDIcare will be organizing The Perfect 10 Charity Walk Hunt.

Come all… team up with your friends, colleagues and neighbors. For just RM 50 per person, join the hunt while contributing for a noble cause.

MEDIcareWhen we first opened our doors in 1994, we had only 7 machines and 20 patients. Today, we have become the second largest dialysis provider in this country. With over 150 hemodialysis machines, keeping 700 people alive, MAA Medicare Kidney Charity Fund (MEDIcare) has become one of the most dynamic and progressive charitable organizations in this country.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Dear Fellow Runners,You are now the first to officially receive the news of the registration opening of The River Jungle Marathon 2010.Registration is now open. Do visit the link for the run details and instructions. Registration is limited to 50pax, so do register early @ here

In the link, you will find detailed instructions on the run, locations, hydration management, route video, images and everything else we can possible imagine we would need as a participant (I hope!).

Some slight updates as per our last communication out in FaceBook, there will be some slight changes as below:

1. Isotonic (we’ll be serving Revive along the way and providing 1 bottle of Gatorade each at the end)

2. Price of the race has been raised from RM50 to RM60 due to the inclusion of the 7-Hour pacer team.

3. We will be officially providing Finisher-T shirts and certificates to each participants (based on first come first serve sizing)

4. Official Starting Point has been identified at Balai Polis Pekan Batu 18, Hulu Langat

We would like to formally thank Mr. Scott and Ms. Liz Roberts of CamelBak Malaysia and Mr. Lee Yee Sum of Excel Chemical Trading Sdn. Bhd. for their sponsorship and support in making this run possible.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

MUZIUM Telekom will be having the Fiesta Muzium Telekom 10km run on Saturday at 7am at the museum’s courtyard at Muzium Telekom, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. The categories are Open, Veteran, Secondary School & Primary School. The fee is RM10. For details, contact 03-20319966.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Before those Martians sent the firing squad to hunt me down, I better get this piece out! Trust me, they ain't from planet Earth & they have no mercy nor do they know what is pain.

Even a simple fruit like Guava amazed them. Sometimes I'm just as confused . . . . Yup, you got 20 minutes to rest & change to working clothes.

Alright, this is my photographer taking a break before setting out for dinner. At 6.00pm, all were down in the kitchen & garden preparing for loading . . . but I'm still a little apprehensive with their talent in cooking up a decent meal. . . . do I have a better choice? NO!

Albert(o) & Baby Hoong were assigned to set up the BBQ pit.

HallooOOOO!!!!!!! You wanna commit suicide is it? Just can't lay your eyes off these bunch of Musketeers. Not even ONE minutes! They hijacked the menu card from the kitchen to 'blow' up the fire.. . . . and Margaret the Keeper will be back from the church any moment. Really no eye see. . . .

My consolation is Her . . . . The Chief Cook :)

She cooked up such fabulous dish . . . superb! Ichiban! Cinya Hor Chiak! Yeah, she had a hard time with Margaret the Keeper who apprehended them for 'wetting' her dry kitchen & 'drying' her wet kitchen . . heheeee and I just played dumb & mute from afar . . . sshhhhhhhh .. . don't tell the rest, OK.

Yup . . . they won't let me off just yet. I was made to stand still in the open under the bright moonlight for 3 mins holding on to the chicken wing.

See, reconfirming they are not 'human' and have no feeling. Yeah .. . thats the photographer wanted to test his photography skill of snapping an object (thats ME, the poor victim) without switching on the flashlight . . . . Goshhhhh . . .unbelievable

It is really not easy managing a bunch of Musketeers who travel round the globe and argue a century to complete a simple task or arriving at a decision!

The Story begins . . . . . .. ..

Three Jet Fighter with different capacity supposed to leave Klang Valley between 3pm to 6pm. Somehow, all three arrived at Tapah rest area 5 minutes apart @ 8.00pm. How this is possible????? I am awaiting report from the Ghostbusters team . . .

When we head back to the car after a quick bite, one of the Jet Fighter's back tyre was punctured. As fast as the lightning, a super samaritan just appeared from no where to offer his service. While he was removing the tyre and as fast as the lightning, he was strike & surrounded by 9 Musketeers & a Commander! . . . . yeah . .. he was shocked . . and the rest is history.

We arrived in Tanah Rata at approximately 10pm, had a quick dinner/supper then checked in to the guest house cos' we supposed to be up by 6am to climb Gunung Irau.

The twin-sharing room @ RM30.00/pax/night with attached bath and hot shower. There's a common living room on each floor with Astro facility.

By 7.00am - all assembled to get ready but it was drizzling out there. So we headed to Brinchang for breakfast.

Since it was still raining, we drove up to the market to get some vegetables for dinner. There, didn't I said earlier, they are having a serious discussion for almost half a century on what to buy & how much time to spend, who to pay & blah blah blah blah till the cow come down.

While two Musketeers went back to the guest house to prepare for dinner (don't get confused cos I'm as blur with this displaced kids on the bloc), the rest were grounded. If they take half a century to decide on the veges, no way I'm leading them to Gunung Irau! They got different assignment . . .

The Camp @ the Jabatan Hutan Lipur. This will be their next training ground . . . . just get them to taste the honey first before serving them the pepper . .. heheheeeee

That's Trail No. 6 . . . .

HELLLLLOOOOOOOO!!!!! NOT ENOUGH FOOD AH????????

Earlier was the Egg, now Banana!!!! Real Alien from MARS . ...

You think with that 2 eggs you can produce bullets & shoot the Commander . .. . dream on . . . . dream on . . . . you don't know what I have plan for you . . . .huhhuuhhhhhuuuhhhh

Didn't you see the 'trap' I set? Wakakakaakakakakaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Yee Mey, the first victim of that vicious Commandor. This is only the beginning . .. . .

After a few Humpthy Dumpthy, I make a U-turn to the opposite trail leading to the Watch Tower. This time, they are a little smarter. They kept a distance of 100mtr behind me :)

Presenting The New Kids Of The Century . . . .. Ta Daaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Actually, they can be easily being bought over. Just give them a little Honey is all it takes to regain their trust.

Off to the Watch Tower . . . . . . . . .

I think the news on the arrival of the Martians had shaken the earth till the Tower came tumbling down couple of months ago. All this due to lack of maintenance.

As we headed down the trail to Tanah Rata, suddenly there was some 'commotion' going on. Guess what?????? Oh - My - God!!!! What the heck is hanging up there??? This must be the work of the 'Egg' and 'Banana'. . . . . working Upside Down